So, after a day relaxing I've decided to get some action in! Bike riding down the Ruta de las cascadas. Rental of a mountain bike with disk brakes done. Starting around 9.30am alone. Day is hot. Riding in the sun and green plush mountains fantastic. Big trucks and buses flying by me, not so much. But there are multiple of side tracks where only bikes can go so it makes the ride a little bit smoother.
Views are stunning as I am riding down the valley. Multiple waterfalls in sight with multiple canopying options to go and see them up close and personal. I have been told to wait to the Waterfall Pailon del Diablo. So I continue to ride along enjoying the views alone. I ride through small villages with people and animals sitting outside in the sun. Plenty of self portraits of me and the changing vegetation to more tropical.
After about 1'30h I arrive at the famous waterfall. This one is not possible to see from the side so I park and lock lock my bike where instructed. I then follow a path down into the gorge. Let's just say the path is steep and I am wondering how nice it will be to come back that way.... Vegetation is fantastic and there are loads of butterflies flying around. After a downhill hike of 15min I arrive to the entrance of the falls, which you have to pay :-). Let's just say it is well worth the 1.50$! There is a roaring sound of gushing water spilling into the ground. Very powerful waterfall. The best is that you can actually get to stand right behind the fall after crawling on hands and knees through a cave. Well worth it!
After my heavy walk back up the hill I sat down to observe the multiple buses and bikers arriving to the same location. A lot of people go back after this waterfall. I decided to go riding for another 20km. Some was nice some was scary as big trucks at full speed were flying by me. I decided to stop at Rio Negro and flag down a bus to go back. That was a total of 35km for the day. At this location I met up with 3 Spaniards which I had come a cross in another location in Ecuador. It is funny how small this country is and how easy it is to continue bumping into the same people.
After a rather long wait at the bus station and 9 people and bikes all melting in the sun a bus actually stopped to take us back. The afternoons as spent by more thermal baths at the local ones in town this time (let's just say I welt like being stuffed Ina boiling soup... See picture!) followed by a meat dinner in company of Spanish friends. Long, well worth, sunny day of activities.
